Twitter Reactions: Linde, Williams, Markram help South Africa draw equaliser in the T20I series

After a loss in the opening game, South Africa have made an incredible comeback in the second T20I against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The hosts came out firing on all cylinders and won by six wickets to draw level in the four-match series. The home team was dominating to the extent that they won the match with as many as 36 balls to spare.

South Africa restrict their opponent

After opting to bat first, Pakistan found themselves in all sorts of trouble. Left-arm spinner George Linde removed both the openers- Mohammad Rizwan and Sharjeel Khan– within the third over to set the cat amongst the pigeons in the opposition camp. Babar Azam and veteran Mohammad Hafeez tried to steady the ship as they put on 58 runs for the third wicket stand off 48 balls.

Linde got rid of Hafeez, who made a 23-ball 32, finding the right-hander’s outside edge. Haider Ali threatened with two fours, but then became Tabraiz Shamsi’s victim. The lower order didn’t contribute much as Pakistan were bowled out for 140 in 20 overs. Babar made a run-a-ball 50, but he couldn’t churn out the big shots, frequently enough. He only hit five fours in his knock.

Markram sets the tone

In the run-chase, the hosts made their intentions clear, going for shots right from the word go. Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram put on 44 runs for the opening wicket off 27 balls to kick-start South Africa’s innings. Hasan Ali removed Malan to give Pakistan some breather. Mohammad Hasnain, thereafter, got rid of Wihan Lubbe, who was threatening to get away, hitting three fours.

Markram went on to score 54 runs off 30 balls before Usman Qadir accounted for his wicket. His knock was laced with seven fours and three sixes. Skipper Heinrich Klaasen turned up with a 21-ball 36 and took his team closer to a win.

The captain stayed unbeaten and took his team over the finishing line. Linde, after getting three wickets with the ball, notched a 10-ball 20 as well. Lizaad Williams got three wickets as well. Pite van Biljon slumped to a failure with the bat.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to South Africa’s win:

What a incredable knock by Aiden markram💕💕

— Tabish Ktk (@TabishKtk9) April 12, 2021

And to think aiden markram wasnt even in this t20 squad. What r thee selectors smoking. #sscricket #SAvPAK

— Ismail lavangee (@Ismail_lavangee) April 12, 2021

Back to back fifties for Aiden Markram on T20I comeback. Hard to believe how South Africa have underused him for years. #SAvPAK

— Sritama Panda (@cricketpun_duh) April 12, 2021

Credit to South Africa – they have so many first choice players missing yet they have confortably won by 6 wickets with 36 balls to spare #Cricket #SAvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 12, 2021

What kind of rubbish peoples are living in our society
He played one ininng with little bit slow strike rate in hard conditions no one stand with him
shame on you🌝
Proud of pakistan Babar azam🇵🇰❤#Babar_Azam #SAvPAK @babarazam258

— Maddy🇵🇰🌸 (@MubeenSurhio) April 12, 2021

Babar Azam played very slow#PAKvSA

— Jawad Ahmad ™ (@Jawadspeaks_) April 12, 2021

Regarding Playing With Babar's Slow Strike Rate, I Would Like To Clearified That:

I agree that babar azam playd slow,but you should know that if babar was too early,it was difficult to give a target of 100 runs,bcz no batsman playd well like everyone's wicket line 💔🤷🏻‍♂️#PAKvSA

— 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢 (@H_W_B06) April 12, 2021

People criticising Babar over today's inning have no cricket brain. No one else have scored except him. When pitch is slow and difficult you have to adjust acc to that. Babar wicket ni rokta to 120 bhi ni hona tha is team se.#BabarAzam #SAvPAK

— ZEESHAN (@ItsMeeZeee) April 12, 2021

Babar Azam is slow cricketer. Even in T20 he played at a strike rate of 100 and sometimes less then 100.. #SAvPAK #BabarAzam @vikrantgupta73 @Saj_PakPassion @ZAbbasOfficial @mohsinaliisb @iramizraja

— Aninda Sarkar (@Anindasarkar_2) April 12, 2021

Let's be honest, #Pakistan team has been exposed badly. A huge defeat by a second strength #SouthAfrica n team. Bring back @simadwasim. Drop #SharjeelKhan and #Haider#SAvPAK #PAKvsSA #T20

— Kaukab Abid (@Kaukab_Abid) April 12, 2021

Babar Azam scored 50 off 50, strike rate 100.00, among all Pakistani batsmen scoring 50 or more in a T20I inning, this is 2nd lowest batting strike rate after Shoaib Khan’s 50 off 54 (92.59) v Zimbabwe in 2008. #SAvPAK

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 12, 2021

South Africa crush pakistan in the 2nd t20 with 6 overs left Babar's stat padding knock which resulted in low score and easy in the end for south africa that too without their main players👏👏#Cricket #SAvPAK

— Vallavan 🔥🔥 (@Vallava90659735) April 12, 2021